German envoy condemns decline of language teaching in universities

The German ambassador has condemned the closure of language courses at British universities, saying many departments have been reduced to a "token existence or even completely shut down".

Thomas Matussek's comments follow a snapshot survey of 30 universities, which revealed that seven out of 10 had either closed or slimmed their language departments last year. Language teachers say they are receiving weekly evidence of more universities scrapping the departments because of their dwindling student numbers.

Later this month, the University of Stirling's academic council will consider proposals to ditch single and combined honours degrees in German. This week, Glasgow University was revealed to be halting Slovenic studies.

Mr Matussek, speaking at a reception at the German embassy, said: "It distresses me greatly to observe how university language departments have been reduced to a token existence or even completely shut down."

The latest figures from Ucas, the university admissions service, show the number of students taking German this autumn fell by 13.6 per cent, French by 1.3 per cent and other European languages by 12.5 per cent.

Ministers are to publish a strategy document next week intended to boost language tuition, with the aim of making it an entitlement for every child from the age of seven.

Mr Matussek said: "There is no doubt numbers will increase after the Government's language programme takes effect but to shut down facilities now would be a loss many universities will regret."

A spokeswoman for Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, said: "Many [universities] have found that demand for some traditional language courses has fallen in recent years, leading to the closure of some courses and departments." She said it had warned the Government that plans to end compulsory languages from the age of 14 could reduce student numbers.